Search continues for fourth inmate

The search continued Wednesday night and Thursday for Angel Castrejon, 23, who escaped from Otero County Jail Tuesday.

Candi Hillchill@ljtdmail.com

The search continued Wednesday night and Thursday for Angel Castrejon, 23, who escaped from Otero County Jail Tuesday.

Law enforcement said they are still working on tips and leads and anyone with information should contact either the Otero County Sheriff's Department or the La Junta Police Department with information.

Castrejon was one of four inmates who escaped. Three inmates, Curtis Apodaca, Malcolm Hoffert and Johnny Nunez, were arrested Wednesday in La Junta.

Around 8 p.m. on March 4, the four inmates escaped after rushing a detention officer and then opening a second cell to let two other inmates out of another cell. After fighting with another deputy, the four were able to leave the facility and they fled to the northwest and then north across Highway 50 and into the rail yards in La Junta. Part of their clothing was located in the rail yards.

La Junta schools remained on modified lockdown Thursday. They continued to monitor access (denying access if needed) of people coming and going in the buildings.

The Colorado Department of Corrections team terminated search operations Thursday because three of the four inmates were caught.

The Department of Corrections deployed multiple resources Tuesday evening following a request for assistance from the Otero County Sheriff. In addition to sending trained staff to assist in the search, the CDOC also deployed the Mobile Command Center, Canon Escape Team, Special Operations Response Team (SORT,) AVCF ERT/Search Teams, Pueblo Campus ERT Teams, TCF ERT/Search Teams, LCF ERT/Tracking Teams, Inspector General Staff, K-9 Units and staff from Adult Parole and the Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU.)

Executive Director Rick Raemisch applauds the hard work of Department staff involved in the effort, “Great work by all involved. Thank you for your professionalism and dedication. It is an honor to be your Executive Director.”

Raemisch thanks Governor John Hickenlooper for his quick response and authorization for the use of the Colorado National Guard for this mission. He is also grateful for the support provided by the Colorado State Patrol and Executive Director of Public Safety Jim Davis.

The Department wishes to recognize the outstanding collaboration, teamwork and support of all local and state law enforcement agencies in the apprehension of these fugitives.